Does anyone have experience with Crenuchus spilurus

[nvcichlids]

I just picked up a pair for my cent. perugiae tank, and was wondering if anyone has any expereince with them?

[Mike_Noren]

Yes, I've bred them.

They are tetras who think they are dwarf cichlids. Care for them exactly like you would for an Apistogramma. That doesn't mean they get along well with cichlids. Cichlids also mistake them for cichlids, ie regard them as competitors, and the Crenuchus are unable to defend themselves.
They are very timid and withdrawn fish. They must have caves, and if they are happy you will basically never see them - they will only leave the cave to eat.
If you want to breed them you can trigger spawning by simulating rainy season. The female will deposit the eggs under the roof of the males cave, after which the male guards the eggs and wrigglers until they are free swimming, at which point they eagerly accept freshly hatched artemia. Even after leaving the cave the parents will not eat the young. I would suggest letting the male take care of the eggs, all my attempts to hatch the eggs artificially failed. The young are fairly slow-growing.

As an aside there are at least four species of Crenuchus sold in the trade, I do not know if any of them is the true spilurus.

[nvcichlids]

thanks mike for the info, a friend from my LFC and I are trying to breed them. This will definately be a good help! Mine will not be kept with cichlids, although I would love to add some Krobia's, I know its a BAD idea. I plan to add a school of one of the red line pencil fish to the tank as well.